Organic solvents

Since the mid-1970s, there has been growing concern about the risks
resulting from the use of chemical solvents, fillers and preservatives.
Organic solvents are used in many industries and trades.

They are found in paints, pesticides, adhesives, lacquers, cleaning
and release agents. They cause a wide range of diseases including
irritation of the mucous membranes, allergies, occupational cancers,
skin and lung diseases, reproductive problems, "solvent syndrome",
"organic psycho syndrome" and "neurotoxic effects".The impact of spills
and emissions of organic solvents into the environment is also a
significant global problem.

Following a conference jointly organized by the BWI, EFBWW and NFBWW
in Denmark, in 1996, guidelines were developed to define a trade union
policy in BWI industries known as the Copenhagen agreement.

Affiliates have been encouraged to promote it through education
activities. The BWI believes that manufacturers and suppliers of
products containing solvents should provide clear information concerning
the precise contents, health risks and required precautions during
production, use and removal. There should be safe work practices taking
into account the fact that the main forms of human exposure to solvents
are through inhalation and skin contact. Work procedures should
therefore aim to reduce this exposure.

The BWI also believes that the best form of prevention of serious
long-term hazards is using safer alternative products containing less or
no organic solvents like water-dispersed or solvent-free paints or to
high solid paints. The BWI strongly supports the ratification of ILO
Convention 170 concerning Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work and
Recommendation 177 applying to all industries in which chemicals are
used. They provide detailed regulations, including workers rights, in
the handling of chemicals.

The BWI encourages its affiliates to take action to protect the
health of their members at company, local and national levels by
launching awareness-raising campaigns about the harmful effects of
organic solvents and by encouraging testing and labelling of building
materials which may emit volatile organic compounds.